Because Seat really needs a mid-sized suv, really no it does, I really mean it.

It does, as the 3/4 year long delivery time for the Skoda Kodiaq show.
And I hope Seat will get the same freedom as Skoda by the next generation (of the Ateca as well).

Next I would greenlight a mid-size sedan / estate (Exeo successor), than the lineup would be pretty complete with the Arona coming this year. Hope next-gen Toledo will be more exciting than the current as well. Alhambra will die by 2019 afaik, doesn't fit the brand anyway.

Apparently it will be mostly a Tigaun Allspace with some cosmetic changes (given it will be built in Wolfsburg), so I'm not overly excited. We have already seen that the Tigaun will be sold with little to no changes as Skoda in several markets, and the latest spy shots of the Skoda Yeti indicate it will be a Ateca with minimal changes (about the level of Toledo/Rapid or the up! triplets), so likely the only reason to buy it over the Tiguan will be if it is slightly cheaper. Problem for me is, the pricing differences are not exactly huge between Seat, Skoda and VW anymore nowadays (hardly surprising, given they are technically identical and built in the same factories across Europe), and if only down to equipment.

To me, the brands clearly lack identity, I mean yes CUVss/SUVs sell, but if all 3 brands make exactly the same cars with nearly idnetical design because according to market research and consumer clinics that is the most popular model (and sure nowadays VAG products feel like that), why bother with 3 brands? just produce more Tiguans or Kodiaqs. In teh early 2000s, a Seat did look very different to a Skoda, had a different target audience, and a VW was more expensive and sophisticated than both. Tehre was separation. Not anymore, now we have GM/Chrysler in the 80ies/90ies

Apparently it will be mostly a Tigaun Allspace with some cosmetic changes (given it will be built in Wolfsburg), so I'm not overly excited. We have already seen that the Tigaun will be sold with little to no changes as Skoda in several markets, and the latest spy shots of the Skoda Yeti indicate it will be a Ateca with minimal changes (about the level of Toledo/Rapid or the up! triplets), so likely the only reason to buy it over the Tiguan will be if it is slightly cheaper. Problem for me is, the pricing differences are not exactly huge between Seat, Skoda and VW anymore nowadays (hardly surprising, given they are technically identical and built in the same factories across Europe), and if only down to equipment.

To me, the brands clearly lack identity, I mean yes CUVss/SUVs sell, but if all 3 brands make exactly the same cars with nearly idnetical design because according to market research and consumer clinics that is the most popular model (and sure nowadays VAG products feel like that), why bother with 3 brands? just produce more Tiguans or Kodiaqs. In teh early 2000s, a Seat did look very different to a Skoda, had a different target audience, and a VW was more expensive and sophisticated than both. Tehre was separation. Not anymore, now we have GM/Chrysler in the 80ies/90ies

That's why I wrote I hope that it will at least get unique sheet metal (the structure below will be identical from what we can tell). Skodas really grew in price these last years, no wonder they are a cashcow with higher margins than Volkswagen. Seat is still a bit cheaper, however they also want to step up lately with their Xcellence trim levels. And yes, you are right, they looked way more distinctive 10 years ago, a shame really.

This is what VAG does wrong with Seat - it deprives the brand of any unique selling points. And unfortunately the same is happening with Skoda, with the new Yeti being a great example of how to remove a unique looking, quirky vehicle and replacing it with just a rebadge. Seat would have been much more suitable to receive a 3-door version based on the Tiguan, but only available as the Seat. They also do not need people movers, i mean why pitch the brand as a sporty one and then have cars like the Altea be a 'halo' car for the brand? Keep them for VW. Heck Skoda would have made more sense.

At least the new Ibiza looks beautiful without looking like an exact clone of a Polo. Oh and they NEED a restyled (new sheetmetal and interiors) version of the Scirocco.

I guess it is better than nothing at the moment, he explicitly mentions time to market as a reason. As long as it gets unique sheet metal and interieur nobody outside of automotive forums will even recognize that it is a remodelled Tiguan Allspace. And it worked great for them with Skodaesque Ateca.
I expect them to have more freedom with the respective successors.
BTW, Altea is not sold anymore since 2 years IIRC ;)
And the 3 door Leon is a better car than the Scirocco in every way possible.

[quote=disap.ed;485095]I guess it is better than nothing at the moment, he explicitly mentions time to market as a reason. As long as it gets unique sheet metal and interieur nobody outside of automotive forums will even recognize that it is a remodelled Tiguan Allspace. And it worked great for them with Skodaesque Ateca.
/quote]

The Skoda still looks like a slightly modified Tiguan and so will the SEAT. Volkswagen is obviously trying to reduce costs after the diesel fiasco and the billions they spent on settling law suits.